Richard Porter

Richard Porter was born on April 10, 1946, in a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in Naples, Italy, to Richard W. Porter and Anna Porter. As a baby, he traveled with his mother on a ship from Italy before arriving at Ellis Island. Eventually, they reunited with his father in Detroit, MI.

He graduated from Lincoln Park High School in 1964, received a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Journalism in 1972, and earned a Master of Criminal Justice from the University of Detroit in 1976. Richard had a successful career as a Michigan State Parole Officer. Eventually, he became a Federal Probation Officer. In 1981 he accepted a transfer to Dallas, TX. He retired after dedicating years to this role.

On December 20, 1969, Richard married Margaret at Zion Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City, OK. Together, they had four children: Stephanie Daniel from Round Rock, TX, Donna Rankin from Little Elm, TX, Laura Porter from Tulsa, OK, and Sarah Johnson from Garland, TX.

Richard was cherished for his role as a family man, known for his outgoing nature, generosity, devotion to his Christian faith, love for practical jokes, and being impossible to shop for during the holidays.

He served with distinction in the Marines from 1965 to 1969. During the Vietnam War, he participated in Operation Hastings, a fierce battle for Hill 362, where his unit, India Company 3/5, First Marine Division, suffered significant losses. After returning to the U.S., he was selected to be part of the Marine Guard at the U.S. Pavilion at the 1967 World's Fair. Afterward, he was stationed at the Marine barracks in Washington D.C. where he was part of the Presidential Honor Guard and served as a Squad Leader in the Ceremonial Guard Company. He was privileged to be part of the Honor Guard for President Eisenhower's funeral. He also provided security for Presidents Johnson and Nixon at Camp David. Additionally, he moved furniture for Lynda Bird Johnson, and was a lifeguard at the swimming pool for the Kennedy children.

Richard is survived by his wife, Margaret Porter, daughters Stephanie Daniel (Ricky), Donna Rankin (Brennon), Laura Porter, and Sarah Johnson (Josh), grandchildren Derek Daniel, Evelyn Daniel, Camryn Rankin, Colin Rankin, Avery Thompson, and Levi Johnson. He is also survived by sisters Elizabeth Graves, Frances Demery, Mary Swihart, brother William Porter, and many other cherished family members.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Anna Porter, sister Patricia Porter, brother-in-law Cpl. John Constien, sister-in-law Nancy Porter, niece Trisha Bolyard, and nephew Mark Rothrock.

Instead of flowers or plants, memorial contributions to St. Jude’s Children's Hospital https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html or Zion Lutheran Church Dallas, TX https://ziondallas.churchcenter.com/giving would be appreciated.